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Topic ID #30533 - posted 1/5/2014 4:03 AM

UNDERWATER POMPEII. RESEARCH AND SURVEY IN THE SINGULAR PORTUS IULIUS

sanisera

THE SANISERA FIELD SCHOOL 2014http://www.ecomuseodecavalleria.com/the-sanisera-field-school-video.aspOur
commitment is to promote Archaeology in its different aspects of
research, training, and conservation, with a basic and clear purpose: to
involve anyone from around the world who wishes to gain access to this
scientific field. Sanisera is an international archaeological
organization whose main aim is that of promoting and developing
research, so that our current and future generations can be enriched by
culture and education in this field.

This
underwater archaeology course consists of studying the submerged
archaeological remains of Portus Iulius of the Baia Underwater Park.

The
Underwater Pompeii site is located in the bay of Naples and is managed
by Baia Underwater Park. Underwater surveys show that Roman buildings
are about 400 meters away from the present coastline, at a depth of
approximately 9 meters. Underwater and aerial surveys have shown
numerous submerged archaeological remains. Evidence of the submersion of
the coast can be found in the ruins of the Temple of Venus, which today
is about 3 meters below the quay of the port. Nearby, on the other side
of the bay, two monumental complexes were also found: a villa belonging
to the Pisoni family and a bath complex with a nymphaeum.

Another
submerged archaeological site that participants will study is Portus
Iulius, a port which sank during Roman times. It was built in 37 B.C. by
Agrippa and Octavian, and was abandoned in 12 B.C., merely 25 years
after its extremely expensive construction. Later on, it was submerged
due to several ground movements Bradyseism- and volcanic activities
including Vesuvius.

The coasts unique atmosphere even attracted
emperors. For instance, Caligula celebrated his elevation to divinity by
building a pontoon crossing the area, which he then rode over wearing
the armor of Alexander. Emperor Claudius often visited Baia. Nero was so
fond of this place that he ended up conceiving grandiose projects
there, one of them being conveying all spa waters into a large basin
intended to link Miseno with the Averno.

In 2006 the Baia Underwater
Archaeological Park was created, the first of its kind in Italy. Because
of this project we can visit these magnificent ancient ruins. The
uniqueness of the archaeology in Naples Bay, both on land and
underwater, has made this site famous worldwide.

There will be a
minimum of 8 inmersions focusing on the recognition of structures and
archaeological remains in Portus Iulius to make a detailed map of the
Roman port infrastructure and analyze the spatial distribution of all
objects we will find underwater.

Students will also attend lectures on Roman History, Roman Amphorae, Ancients Ports and methods on archaeological survey.

Directed at

Participating in this course is a unique opportunity. Portus Iulius was
the quintessential port of Rome in the period of greatest splendor of
their empire. We absolutely recommend this program to any college
student who wants to enter in the field of underwater archeology.

Portus
Iulius is an underwater site with lots of submerged remains for you to
be able to recognize Roman architecture and urban planning (walls,
floors, rooms, canals, roads ...) and learn how to draw through 8 dives
with the help of surveying instruments. They say an image is worth more
than a thousand words. You can view it from Google Earth and recognize
its wide expanse that is three times higher than Pompeii.You will
also know how to use survey techniques used to record and document all
types of archaeological materials displayed on the seabed: pottery,
amphorae, glass, building materials such as marble, stucco reliefs,
fragments of sculpture,...

After finishing this course, the training
and experience gained will help you to decide if underwater archaeology
is the area of research that you wish to focus on or if you want to
continue on with underwater archaeology as a future profession. You will
have also visited the most iconic and remarkable Roman underwater
archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Previous knowledge or
experience in archaeology or computer systems is not required.

The field school course has a length of 10 days. The course runs six
hours per day, and is divided between survey dives, exercises, lectures
and excursions. Participants will also visit the Roman ruins of the city
of Pompeii.

Students receive an intensive introduction on basic
aspects of the survey method in underwater archaeology to document
archaeological pieces from the seabed of Portus Iulius, and learn how to
draw the architectural map of the port structure.

Transportation from the Hotel Arco Felice to the diving centre at Baia Underwater Park.

Course tuition.

Tanks, tank filling and weights.

Daily transportation to/from the research site.

Included excursion.

Walking distance to the historic center, port and beaches.

Certificate of participation

Airfare not included from the student home to/from Naples.

During
the days in Naples meals are not included (although we will recommend
cafs and restaurants that do not exceed the average of 20/day in meals).

Entry tickets to museums and historical buildings are not included. Equipment NeededWe
encourage participants to bring their own dive gear, however, a
complete set of diving equipment (with the exception of mask and snorkel
which each participant must bring) can be rented at the reduced cost of
18 Euro per day.

Certificates

At
the end of the Field Program, students will receive a certificate of
participation stating the hours and activities of the course.
Participants that perform exceedingly well in the course may receive a
letter of recommendation from our organization upon request.

Spaces available

The course is limited to 8 participants per session. Reservations are
only effective when payment of the registration fee is received. If for
any reason the course is cancelled, payment is returned
according to the field school refund policy.